Colossians 2

1 For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, [even] Christ,

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

4 This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Now I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive words.

5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in him,

As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

7 rooted and builded up in him, and stablished in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty and deceptive philosophy, according to human tradition, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

10 and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, [I say], did he quicken together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

14 having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

15 having put off from himself the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

Therefore do not let anyone judge you about food and drink, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

18 Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.

20 If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,

If you died with Christ from the elementary principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,

21 Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

"Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch"

22 (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

(all of which perish with use), according to human commandments and teachings?

23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; [but are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.